David
Psalm 40
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
Scripture (KJV)
1I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
10I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
11Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
14Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
17But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Summary
Psalm 40 is a thanksgiving psalm that moves from testimony to petition. David waited patiently for the LORD, and God heard his cry, brought him up out of a horrible pit, set his feet on a rock, and put a new song of praise in his mouth. The famous verses 6–8 are applied in Hebrews 10 to Christ: God did not desire sacrifice and offering but opened ears, and the psalmist responds, "I delight to do thy will, O my God." David has not hidden God’s righteousness in his heart but declared His faithfulness in the great congregation. The psalm closes with urgent prayer for deliverance from innumerable evils and enemies, and with confidence that the Lord thinks upon the poor and needy.
The major themes are patience, deliverance, obedience, testimony, and trust. Practically, the psalm teaches that waiting on God ends in a new song, and that obedience is better than sacrifice. The great lesson is that the Lord thinks upon the poor and needy and is their help and deliverer.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 40
I waited patiently for You, LORD, and You inclined unto me and heard my cry. You brought me up out of the horrible pit and set my feet upon a rock. You have put a new song in my mouth, even praise to You. Let me delight to do Your will, for Your law is within my heart. I will not hide Your righteousness within my heart but will declare Your faithfulness and salvation. Withhold not Your tender mercies from me; let Your lovingkindness and truth preserve me. When innumerable evils compass me about, make haste to help me. Though I am poor and needy, thank You that You think upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does the image of being lifted from a "horrible pit" describe my own deliverance?
- 2What does it mean that God desires obedience more than sacrifice?
- 3How can I declare God’s faithfulness "in the great congregation"?
- 4Where do I need to wait patiently for the LORD today?
Related Psalms
Psalm 27
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Courage from seeking God’s presence and waiting patiently on Him.
Read morePsalm 35
“Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.”
A prayer for God to contend against unjust enemies and vindicate the righteous.
Read morePsalm 69
“Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.”
A deep lament of reproach for God’s sake, ending in hope and praise.
Read morePsalm 70
“Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.”
A short urgent prayer for swift help and shame for adversaries.
Read morePsalm 139
“O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.”
Psalm 139 is a profound meditation on God’s intimate, inescapable knowledge of a person.
Read moreSupport BookofPsalms.org
If you find BookofPsalms.org helpful and would like to support the website, you may make a voluntary contribution through PayPal. Your support helps pay for the operation, hosting, maintenance, development, content, security, and continued improvement of BookofPsalms.org.
Independent Website & Contribution Disclosure
BookofPsalms.org is an independently operated, privately owned website. BookofPsalms.org is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or operated by any church, denomination, ministry, religious organization, charity, or nonprofit organization.
All funds contributed through BookofPsalms.org are received by the privately owned company that operates the website. Funds may be used by the company to support website hosting, maintenance, development, content creation, administration, advertising, technology, and other business and operating expenses.
Contributions are voluntary and are NOT tax-deductible charitable donations. BookofPsalms.org does not represent contributions as charitable donations or contributions to a nonprofit, church, ministry, or tax-exempt religious organization.
Receive weekly Psalms and prayers
A gentle Psalm, an original prayer, and a short reflection—delivered once a week.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.